Now Playing

Teen In Court Over Alleged Newcastle College Bomb Plot

A teenager from Newcastle has appeared in court after allegedly planning an attack on a city college.

18 year old Liam Lyburd was arrested following a report to police by a member of the public who became concerned after seeing posts on Facebook.

A subsequent search by police uncovered pipe bombs, firearms and three cannisters containing 94 lots of live ammunition as well as a black 'kill bag' including black balaclava, knee and elbow pads, nail covered pipe bombs and a lanyard for holding a firearm.

The teenager faces charges of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life, and five counts of possessing an explosive substance, namely a pipe bomb, with intent to endanger life.

Northumbria Police confirmed that the target of the alleged violence was Newcastle College, but they successfully prevented the incident from taking place.

A teenager from Newcastle has appeared in court after allegedly planning an attack on a city college.

18 year old Liam Lyburd, appeared before North Tyneside Magistrates' Court charged with possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life, and five counts of possessing an explosive substance, namely a pipe bomb, with intent to endanger life.

Lyburd, of Hamilton Place, Newcastle, spoke only to confirm his address and date of birth.

No pleas were entered and he was remanded in custody to appear before Newcastle Crown Court on November 20.

The estate where he lives, in the Arthur's Hill area of Newcastle, was cordoned off on Monday while searches were carried out.

Police said later that serious harm was intended to be caused at Newcastle College.

Police say they've stopped an alleged plan to attack Newcastle College after finding a gun and 5 pipe bombs in a house in the city.

Officers were called to a report of concern for a person at an address at Hamilton Place, in the Arthurs Hill area of Newcastle on Monday 3rd November.

Army bomb disposal teams from Catterick Garrison were called and they searched the house where they found the weapons.

18-year-old Liam Lyburd's been charged with * Possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life* Possessing ammunition with intent to endanger life* Five counts of possessing an explosive substance, namely a pipe bomb, with intent to endanger life.

He's appeared before North Tyneside Magistrates Court this morning.

In a statement, Northumbria Police say:"The investigation to date has revealed that there was intent to cause serious harm at Newcastle College, we are confident that we have prevented the incident from taking place.

Officers do not work in isolation they rely very much on daily assistance from the public and partner agencies we would like anyone with further information to contact police on 101 ext 69191, quoting reference 401 22/10/14, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Pictured: Hamilton Place in the Arthur's Hill area of Newcastle

Newcastle College Principal Carole Kitching has told Heart:"I would like to reassure staff, students and their families that their safety has been paramount to us and the college remains a safe place to study.

The security team already works in close partnership with the local neighbourhood policing team and this will continue. Officers will be on patrol around the campus to offer reassurance and anyone who is concerned can speak to an officer or contact the college's welfare team.

People should attend the College as usual. We have an extensive network of CCTV cameras monitoring key areas inside buildings and across the campus and our security staff are on duty 24 hours a day.”